Sprinkler



y 6, 1967 J. RODGERS ETAL V 3,319,893

SPRI NKLER Filed June 13, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVIZNTORS.

JZMES LINN ODGE'ES ROBERT E. CHI ES ATTaQ/VE YS May 16, 1967 J. L.RODGERS ETAL 3, 9,

SPRINKLER Filed June 13, 1966 2 SheetsSheet FIG.9

FIGJO FlGJl, 63 2 FlG.l2

I NVEN TORS. JAMA-ZS' l/N/V 19006526 53 197'7'0/P/VEYS United StatesPatent 3,319,893 SPRINKLER James Linn Rodgers, 9606 La Serna Drive,Whittier, Calif. 90605, and Robert B. Caves, 10028 Deerhaven Drive,Santa Ana, Calif. 92705 Filed June 13, 1966, Ser. No. 562,052 9 Claims.(Cl. 239-393) This is a continuation-in-part of our copending patentapplication Ser. No. 457,138, filed May 19, 196-5, for Sprinkler, nowabandoned.

This invention pertains to a sprinkler and in particular to a sprinklerthat will provide variable spray patterns for watering a garden or lawn.

The sprinkler of this invention is adapted for low cost constructionentirely of plastic parts. One of the elements of the sprinkler is ahollow member, which may be spherical, having various openings throughit that define the different spray patterns. The sphere is mounted inthe sprinkler body and rotatable to present a selected pattern at theexterior for discharge of Water. The incoming water enters the spherethrough at least one other opening in the sphere, which then facesinwardly to act as an inlet rather than as the outlet which is itspurpose when it is turned to the exterior. The incoming water from theinwardly facing opening travels through the sphere to discharge throughthe openingthat is at the exterior. By having the water pass through ahollow sphere, it is possible to provide a relatively large number ofdifferent spray patterns in a unit of compact size. Moreover, as thewater contacts the sphere inside the sprinkler body and flows throughthe sphere, it urges the periphery of the sphere against an annularsealing element so that the sphere is securely held against the seal andwillnotleak. A valve is included in the unit so that the Water may beshut off when desired, which releases the pressure on the sphere andpermits the sphere to be turned within the sprinkler body to present adifferent fiow pattern facing the exterior. Thus, adjustment is obtainedreadily when another flow pattern is to be selected.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved low cost watersprinkler.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler havingprovision for varying the discharge flow pattern.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler in whichthe Water flows through a hollow element having various apertures toprovide a wide variety of spray patterns in a unit of small size.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a sprinkler in whichthe flow adjustment member is a hollow body held against a seal throughthe pressure of the water flowing through the unit.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the sprinkler of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view kler;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE2;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE3, showing the valve in the open position;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but with the valve closed;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating theengagement of the flow-controlling sphere with its seal;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the sphere removed from the remainderof the sprinkler;

of the sprin- FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIGURE3;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of the invention incorporated in a lawnsprinkler, including an arrangement for rotating the sphere;

FIGURE 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the sprinkler of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a transverse sectional view of the sprinkler taken alongline 11-11 of FIGURE 10; and

FIGURE 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the couplingarrangement between the shaft and the sphere.

With reference to the drawing, the device of this invention includes anelongated hollow body 9 adapted to be made of molded plastic, andpreferably provided with longitudinal ribs 10 to allow the body 9 to begripped and held in the hand. An end fitting 11 is received in thebottom portion of the body, this being an internally threaded element inwhich is located a washer 12 bearing against an annular shoulder 13. Themale end of a garden hose 14 is adapted to thread into the fitting 11 toseal against the washer 12 in the conventional manner. This provides theinlet for pressurized water from the hose to enter the chamber 15 withinthe body 9.

A wall 16 extends across the body near its upper end and is providedwith an opening that receives a sealing member 17. This is a part of thevalve assembly for controlling the fiow through the body 9. The member17, which may be of relatively soft plastic, includes a flange 18 thatis received in a recess near the outer portion of the wall 16. A bead 19is provided at the upstream end of the inner cylindrical portion 20 ofthe seal 17, this bead being rounded convexly so that it is generallysemicircular in cross section. A valve member 21 is adjacent the seal17, this element being provided with an outer surface 22 which is formedas a segment of a sphere, and an inner semicylindrical surface 23. Whenthe valve is open as in FIGURES 3 and 4, the semicylindrical opening 23is adjacent the opening through the seal and open flow is provided. Uponrotating the member 21 to the position of FIGURE 5, however, the outersurface 22 is positioned across the bead 19, so that the valve preventsall flow.

Movement of the valve is provided through a stem 25 attached by a screw26 to a handle 27. The stem is sealed with respect to the valve bodythrough which it extends by means of an O-ring 28 that circumscribes it.When the valve is in the closed position, the water upstream of itentering through the fitting 12 exerts a pressure that urges the outersurface 22 into a firm sealing engagement with the bead 19. The roundednature of the bead 19 and its convex shape prevent it from beingdeflected inwardly by the water pressure to allow leakage through thevalve. A limited amount of floating movement is permitted the valvemember 21 to facilitate the sealing contact at the bead 19.

When the valve is open, water can pass through the wall 16 and into achamber 30 at the upper end of the valve body 9. At one end of thischamber is a hollow spherical member 31. This element is provided withdifferent openings through it which when appropriately positionedprovide for the discharge of water from the body 9. Hence, theseopenings define the flow patterns that the sprinkler is capable ofproducing. In the embodiment illustrated, the sphere 31 includes anelongated slot 33, a round opening 34 and a group of several small.openings 35. The openings 33, 34 and 35 are spaced apart around theperiphery of the sphere 31 so that their center portions aresubstantially apart.

The sphere 31 is provided with diametrically opposed journals 37 and 38which are slidably received in slots 39 and 40 that extend inwardly ofthe chamber 30 from the outer radial edge 41 at the upper end of thebody 9. Hence, the sphere 31 can move a limited amount in the slots 39and 40, which is in an axial direction with respect to the substantiallycylindrical upper end portion of the sprinkler body. Outwardly of theslots 39 and 40, the sprinkler body is externally threaded forengagement with the internal threads of a cap 42. The latter element hasa straight knurl on its circumferential surface 43 so that it easily canbe threaded into place to where it engages outwardly projecting flange44 on the body. A flange 45 extends inwardly from the inner wall of thecap 42 and positions an annular sealing member 46 of a relatively softplastic material. The member 46 has a convexly rounded bead 47 at itsinner portion that is adjacent the periphery of the sphere 31. The innerportion of the seal 46 is smaller in diameter than is the sphere 31, andengages the periphery of the sphere outwardly of the journals 37 and 38.

In selecting a discharge pattern for the device of this invention, thevalve 21 is closed to block flow into the chamber 30. In the resultingabsence of pressure in the chamber 30, the sphere 31 may be rotatedfreely to present the desired discharge pattern, defined by the openings33, 34, or 35, to the exterior of the unit. Proper alignment with theend of the chamber 39 is maintained through the journals 37 and 38 inthe longitudinal slots 39 and 40. This allows any selected opening 33,34 or 35 to be positioned adjacent and radially inwardly of the bead 47of the sealing member 46.

When this is done, the other openings communicate with the chamber 30.In other words, as the device is shown in FIGURES 3 and 8, the group ofopenings 35 is positioned at the exterior of the chamber, while theother two openings 33 and 34 open through the sphere into the chamber30.

Then, when the valve 21 is opened, water entering from the inlet fitting11 will pass through the chamber 15 of the body 9 to enter the chamber30. Here it will flow into the sphere 31 through the openings 33 and 34.The hollow sphere interior provides a passageway interconnecting theopenings 33, 34 and 35, so that the water entering the openings 33 and34 will discharge from the sphere through the openings 35. Hence, one ofthe flow patterns is used as the outlet for the device, while the othersserve as the inlet for the flow-controlling ball 31.

The pressure exerted against the ball 31 as the water enters chamber 30and flows through the ball to the outlet openings 35 forces the member31 outwardly of the body toward the end edge 41. This pressure, in otherwords, tends to move the sphere 31 to the left as the device isillustrated in FIGURES 3, 6 and 8, urging it into firm contact with thebead 47 of the sealing member 46. The seal 46 is prevented from outwardmovement by the flange 45 so that the eflect of the water pressure willbe to hold the sphere tightly against the seal. In this manner, thepressure of the water passing through the unit is utilized inaccomplishing a secure seal along the periphery of the sphere 31 toprevent leakage. The convexly rounded bead 47 will not be deflectedinwardly by the water pressure, and hence will maintain a fluid-tightrelationship with the sphere 31.

When it is desired to change the flow pattern, the valve 21 is closed,thereby relieving pressure in the chamber 30. Where the sphere 31 hadbeen held tightly against the seal 46 by the water pressure when thevalve was open, with the valve closed and the absence of pressure in thechamber 30 the sphere 31 becomes readily rotatable. Therefore, it may beturned to present one of the other openings 33 or 34 to the exterior.When the valve is opened subsequently, the water again will flow throughthe spherical member 31, entering the openings in its periphery whichare not selected as the discharge pattern, while flowing outwardlythrough the opening positioned adjacent the sealing member 46.

This arrangement allows the provision of a relatively large number ofdifferent predeterm ned flow patterns in a unit of compact size. In thesmall hand-held unit shown, there are three discharge patterns provided.More may be included as desired. The important consideration is that atleast one opening is provided in the hollow element to act as the waterinlet, while another is positioned adjacent the outlet to define thedischarge pattern.

In order for the sphere 31 to be readily rotatable to permit theselection of the different flow patterns, it is mounted loosely in theend of the chamber '30 so that it can be turned when the pressure isreleased as the valve is closed. Also, this floating relationship of thesphere 31 is needed in permitting the sphere to be urged outwardly bythe water pressure against the seal so that leakage may be absolutelyprecluded.

In the unit shown, it is preferred to align the sphere through theprovision of the journals 37 and 38 and their cooperating slots 39 and40. However, this is not an essential element and, in some instances, itmay be preferred to allow the sphere to be rotated in any directionthrough the omission of the journals 37 and 38. This may be advantageousif the device is constructed for stationary operation rather than as ahand-held unit as shown. For example, if the device is to be rested uponthe ground as a stationary sprinkler, the hollow sphere may be rotatedso that the flow of water may be directed toward any desired location.This permits the sprinkler to be positioned to one side of a flower bedor other area so that it is not necessary to walk into the area beingwatered in. order to set the sprinkler.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 9, 10 and 11, the invention is incorporatedin a lawn-type sprinkler 49. Again, the unit may be substantiallyentirely made of plastic and is adapted for mass production at low cost.The sprinkler 49 includes a base 50 for providing a stable support onthe ground. At the central portion of the base 50 is a hollow chamber 51that receives the sphere 52 through which the Water discharges. Thechamber 51 includes a hemispherical bottom wall 53 above which is acylindrical side wall 54. The water from the garden hose 55 enters thechamber 51 through a fitting 56 which extends through the wall of thechamber. A conventional coupling 57 receives the threaded end 58 of thehose 55 to attach the hose to the sprinkler.

A collar 60 circumscribes the cylindrical wall 54 and is secured to it.A flange 61 projects inwardly from the upper end of the collar 60 and isprovided with an opening 62 circumscribing and spaced outwardly from theupper portion of the sphere 52. Beneath the flange 61 and on the upperside of the sphere is an annular sealing member 63 which is retainedbetween the upper end of the cylindrical wall 54 and the flange 61. Theseal 63 is smaller in diameter than the sphere 52, and at its inner edgeis adapted to be engaged tightly by the sphere 52 when the sprinkler isin operation.

For convenience of manufacture, the sphere 52 preferably is made inthree sections 52a, 52b and 52c of equal arcs cemented together at theirmargins to collectively define the complete sphere. Arcuate segments 64,65 and 66 are cemented to the interior of the sphere at the jointsbetween the sections to reinforce the assembled unit.

Extending diametrically through the sphere is a drive shaft 68, thecentral portion 69 of which has three ribs which are spaced apart atequal angles and radiate outwardly from the center. The outer endportions 70 and 71 of the shaft 68 extend through slots 72 and 73 in thewall 54 and into openings 74 and 75 in the collar 60.

The end sections 70 and 71 of the shaft 63 are circular in cross sectionand circumscribed by O-ring seals 76 and 77. The hubs of knobs 78 and 79fit into the openings 74 and 75 around the ends 70 and 71 of the shaft68 and are secured to the shaft by self-tapping screws 80 and 81. Theshaft 68 is mounted in this manner with its axis perpendicular to anextension of the axis of the seal 63. The shaft 68 may be manuallyrotated about its axis from the exterior of the sprinkler housingthrough rotation of the knobs 73 and 79.

The sphere 52 is provided with opposed openings 82 and 83 through whichthe shaft 68 passes. The opening 83, which is of similar size and shapeto the opening 82, is illustrated in the enlarged detail view of FIGURE12. It may be seen that the opening is larger than the crosssectionaldimension of the portion 69 of the shaft 68. This means that the sphereis loosely received on the shaft and is permitted a limited amount ofmovement relative to the shaft 68 in the direction normal to the axis ofthe shaft. This allows floating movement of the sphere 52 comparable tothat provided for the sphere 31 in the previously described embodiment.Nevertheless, the outer portions of the opening 83 are recessed toreceive the outer edges of the ribs of the shaft section 69, so that thesphere 52 is coupled to the shaft and will rotate with it. Therefore,rotation of the knobs 78 and 79 causes the sphere 52 to turn about theaxis of the shaft 68.

The sphere 52 is provided with three sets of openings 85, 86 and 87.These are in different patterns to provide different shapes to the areascovered by water emanating from the sprinkler. For example, the set ofopenings 85 may be positioned to provide a narrow rectangular strip ofwatering area, the openings 86 to provide water in a shorter and widerrectangular pattern, and the openings 37 to produce a square spray.

In operation of the sprinkler 49, the sphere is positioned to produce adesired flow pattern, which is accomplished by rotating the knobs 78 and79. This turns the shaft 68 which, through the interference of theopenings 82 and 83, rotates the sphere so that the desired set ofopenings may be located within the opening of the seal 63, facingoutwardly from the chamber 51. An indicator marking 88 is included onthe outer face of the knob 78 to facilitate selection of the right flowpattern. In other words, the dimensions of the areas that will becovered are marked on the face of the knob, with arrows pointing to thethree different spray patterns. The openings may be positionedvertically with respect to the sprinkler, as seen in FIGURE 9, or theymay be inclined to one side if the sprinkler is to project the wateraway from the place Where the sprinkler is positioned.

When the water is turned on, it passes through the hose 55 into thechamber 51. There it will engage the surface of the sphere and, in theposition of the sphere shown in FIGURE 10, will enter the interior ofthe sphere through the openings 86 and 87. The flow into the sphere isaugmented by the water coming in through the clearance around the shaft68 at the openings 82 and 83. The Water which enters the sphere thendischarges through the apertures 85, producing the spray pattern for thewater.

The water bearing against the sphere presses it upwardly against theedge of the seal 63 at the top of the chamber 51. This upward movementis permitted because of the clearance at the openings 82 and 83 whichallows the sphere to float upwardly under the pressure exerted by thewater to seal firmly against the seal 63. Of course, the O-rings 76 and77 prevent leakage at the openings 72 and 73. When the valve controllingthe water to the hose 55 is closed, the sphere is not under pressure andis not held tightly against the gasket 63. Consequently, when the wateris turned off there is no difficulty in rotating the sphere 52 toposition it for the desired flow pattern.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as givenby way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of thisinvention being limited solely by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A sprinkler device comprising a body having a chamber therein,

an inlet for said chamber adapted for connection to a source of waterunder pressure, and an outlet for said chamber, a hollow sphere in saidoutlet,

said sphere being rotatable relative to said body,

and linearly movable axially of said outlet relative to said body, anannular seal in said outlet outwardly of and in juxtaposition with saidsphere, and a fixed annular flange outwardly of and engaged by said sealfor preventing outward movement of said seal,

said seal having a convexly rounded bead on an inner portion thereof,

said bead being smaller in diameter than the diameter of said sphere,said sphere having spaced opening means therethrough providingcommunication with the interior thereof,

said opening means being selectively positionable radially within saidbead of said seal upon rotational positioning of said sphere relative tosaid body, said opening means being so spaced that when one such openingmeans is positioned radially with said bead of said seal another of saidopening means is in communication with said chamber,

whereby water under pressure entering said chamber through said inletflows through said opening means communicating with said chamber, theinterior of said sphere, and discharges through said opening meansradially Within said bead of said seal, and said water under pressureforces said sphere into sealing engagement with said head ofsaid seal.2. A sprinkler device comprising a chamber having an inlet adapted toreceive water from a source I of water under pressure, and an outlet, ahollow sphere in said outlet, said hollow sphere being rotatablerelative to said chamber, 7 an annular sealing member in said outlet,

said hollow sphere being loosely received in said outlet such that saidsphere is movable against said sealing member in response to pressure insaid chamber, said hollow sphere having spaced opening meanstherethrough,

said opening means being of different shapes and positioned such thatwhen one of said opening means is radially within said sealing member atleast one other of said opening means communicates with the interior ofsaid chamber,

whereby fluid entering said chamber from said inlet flows through saidhollow sphere to discharge through the opening means positioned radiallywithin said annual sealing member, and a valve in said chamber forcontrolling the flow of water therethrough, whereby when said valve isclosed pressure is relieved on said hollow sphere permitting said hollowsphere to be rotated relative to said body for selecting an openingmeans to be positioned radially within said annual sealing member. 3. Asprinkler device comprising a chamber having an inlet adapted to receiveliquid from a source of liquid under pressure, and having an outlet,

said outlet having opposed slots extending inwardly from a locationadjacent the outer edge thereof,

a hollow sphere in said outlet,

said hollow sphere having opposed journals slidably and rotatablyreceived in said opposed slots, an annular sealing member outwardly ofsaid slots and engageable with the periphery of said hollow sphere, saidseal having a portion rounded convexly in cross section for engagementwith said sphere,

said sphere being movable into firm engagement with said portion of saidseal in response to pressure within said chamber, said sphere havingdifferent sets of opening meansof different contours,

said opening means being spaced apart such that when one of said openingmeans is positioned radially inwardly of said portion of said seal atleast one other opening means provides communication with the interiorof said chamber, whereby liquid entering said chamber from said inletflows through said sphere to discharge through the opening meansradially inwardly of said portion of said seal, and a shutoff valveupstream of said spherical member for controlling the flow through saidchamber and when closed relieving internal pressure against said spherefor permitting rotation of said sphere relative to said chamber. 4. Asprinklerdevice comprising a body having a chamber therein, an inlet forsaid chamber, an outlet for said chamber,

said inlet being adapted for connection to a source of Water underpressure, a hollow sphere in said chamber adjacent said outlet, anannular seal at said outlet,

said annular seal being at one side of said sphere and of smallerdiameter than the diameter of said sphere, said sphere having spacedopening means selectively positionable upon rotation of said sphere tobe within said annular seal,

and spaced such that when one of said opening means is positioned Withinsaid annular seal another of said opening means is within said chamber,a shaft extending diametrically through said sphere and to the exteriorof said body,

said shaft and said sphere having interfering means for coupling saidshaft and said sphere so that rotation of said shaft rotates said sphereabout the axis of said shaft, said sphere having clearance openingsreceiving said shaft,-

whereby said sphere is permitted limited floating movement in thedirection normal to said shaft so that water under pressure enteringsaid inlet urges said sphere against said annular seal for preventingleakage at said outlet, and said water enters said sphere through theopening means in said chamber to discharge through the opening meanspositioned Within said annular seal, and means exteriorly of said bodyfor rotating said shaft for thereby rotating said sphere for permittingselection of the opening means to be within said seal. 5. A device asrecited in claim 4 in which said means 6. A device as recited in claim 5is which said means exteriorly of said body for rotating said shaftincludes a knob connected to either end of said shaft,

each knob having end of said shaft,

said body having apertures receiving said hub portions,

and including a seal around said shaft inwardly of each of said hubs forpreventing leakage from said body through said apertures.

7. A sprinkler device comprising a body having a chamber therein, aninlet for said chamber, and an outlet for said chamber,

said inlet being adapted for connection to a source of liquid underpressure, a first rotatable member in said outlet,

said first rotatable member having spaced openings in the exteriorthereof,

said openings being interconnected interiorly of said first rotatablemember whereby communication is provided through said first rotatablemember,

a valve in said body intermediate said inlet and said outlet forcontrolling the flow through said body, said valve including a secondrotatable member, and a sealing member,

said sealing member being of annular configuration and having a convexlyrounded bead, said second rotatable member having a surface defined by asegment of a sphere, said surface being remote from said head in a firstrotational position of said second rotatable member for permitting fluidflow through said sealing member, and in engagement with said bead in asecond rotational position of said second rotatable member forpreventing flow through said sealing member when said second rotatablemember is in said second position,

.and an annular sealing element in said outlet outwardly of said chamberand engaging said exterior surface of said first rotatable member,

said openings being positioned such that when one of said openings isradially within said annular sealing element another of said openings iswithin said chamber,

whereby liquid entering said chamber through said inlet passes throughsaid opening within said chamber and the interior of said firstrotatable member to discharge through said opening radially within saidannular sealing element. 8. A sprinkler device comprising a body havinga chamber mean therein, an inlet means for said chamber means and anoutlet means for said chamber means,

said inlet means being adapted for connection to a source of liquidunder pressure,

and a member in said chamber means adjacent said outlet means,

said member having spaced opening means in the exterior thereof,

said member having mean interiorly thereof interconnecting said openingmeans,

said chamber means including means receiving said member for allowinglimited linear movement of said member toward and away from said outletmeans and for allowing rotational movement of said member relative tosaid chamber means, said outlet means and said member being proportionedsuch that upon said rotational movement of said member said openingmeans are individually positionable at said outlet means incommunication with the exterior of said chamber means while remainingopening means are remote from said outlet means and in communicationwith the interior of said chamber means,

whereby liquid under pressure received from said inlet means flowsthrough said member and discharges from the opening means positioned atsaid outlet means in communication with the exterior of said chambermeans, and moves said member linearly toward said outlet means, saidoutlet means and said member having surfaces interengageable when saidmember is so moved linearly for precluding flow of liquid around saidmember at said outlet means. 9. A sprinkler device comprising a bodyhaving a chamber means therein, an inlet for said chamber means, and anoutlet for said chamber means,

said inlet being adapted for connection to a source of liquid underpressure, and a hollow sphere, said sphere having spaced opening meanstherethrough, said chamber means including means receiving said sphereadjacent said outlet for manual rotational movement of said sphererelative to said chamber means and for allowing limited linear movementof said sphere toward and away from said outlet,

10 said chamber means including an annular element at said outlet,

said annular element being of smaller diameter than the diameter of saidsphere and engageable by said sphere upon said linear movement of saidsphere toward said outlet for effecting a seal with said sphere, saidsphere being proportioned relative to said element such that upon saidrotation of said sphere said opening means are individually positionablewithin said annular element and in communication with the exterior ofsaid chamber means while other opening means are remote from said outletand in communication with the interior of said chamber means,

whereby liquid under pressure entering said inlet flows through saidopening means communicating with said chamber into the interior of saidsphere and discharges through said opening means within said annularelement, and said liquid under pressure causes said sphere to movelinearly to so engage said element.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 8,223 4/ 1910Great Britain. 8,713 4/1897 Great Britain. 106,935 3/ 1942 Sweden.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Primary Examiner.

M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 ,"319{893 May 16 1967 James Linn Rodgers et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6 line 2?, "with" should read within Column 8 line 8 after"having" cancel "end of said shaft," and insert H a hub portion,

Signed and sealed this 5th day of August 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer

8. A SPRINKLER DEVICE COMPRISING A BODY HAVING A CHAMBER MEANS THEREIN,AN INLET MEANS FOR SAID CHAMBER MEANS AND AN OUTLET MEANS FOR SAIDCHAMBER MEANS, SAID INLET MEANS BEING ADAPTED FOR CONNECTION TO A SOURCEOF LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE, AND A MEMBER IN SAID CHAMBER MEANS ADJACENTSAID OUTLET MEANS, SAID MEMBER HAVING SPACED OPENING MEANS IN THEEXTERIOR THEREOF, SAID MEMBER HAVING MEANS INTERIORLY THEREOFINTERCONNECTING SAID OPENING MEANS, SAID CHAMBER MEANS INCLUDING MEANSRECEIVING SAID MEMBER FOR ALLOWING LIMITED LINEAR MOVEMENT OF SAIDMEMBER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID OUTLET MEANS AND FOR ALLOWINGROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID CHAMBER MEANS, SAIDOUTLET MEANS AND SAID MEMBER BEING PROPORTIONED SUCH THAT UPON SAIDROTATIONAL MOVEMENT OF SAID MEMBER SAID OPENING MEANS ARE INDIVIDUALLYPOSITIONABLE AT SAID OUTLET MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE EXTERIOR OFSAID CHAMBER MEANS WHILE REMAINING OPENING MEANS ARE REMOTE FROM SAIDOUTLET MEANS AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF SAID CHAMBERMEANS, WHEREBY LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE RECEIVED FROM SAID INLET MEANSFLOWS THROUGH SAID MEMBER AND DISCHARGES FROM THE OPENING MEANSPOSITIONED AT SAID OUTLET MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE EXTERIOR OFSAID CHAMBER MEANS, AND MOVES SAID MEMBER LINEARLY TOWARD SAID OUTLETMEANS, SAID OUTLET MEANS AND SAID MEMBER HAVING SURFACES INTERENGAGEABLEWHEN SAID MEMBER IS SO MOVED LINEARLY FOR PRECLUDING FLOW OF LIQUIDAROUND SAID MEMBER AT SAID OUTLET MEANS.